Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENT ION
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The present invention relates to electric powered
vacuum cleanexs, and more particularly, to a hand-held,
electric vacuum cleaner which is constructed for convenient
and easy emptying of dirt and avoids spilling, which is
lightweight and balanced for easy handling, and which is
simple in design and includes a minimum of separate
parts.
Vacuum cleaners include a variety of types ranging
from heavy duty shop-type vacuum cleaners used in basements,
work rooms, garages, etc., and cannisters and uprights
used for medium to heavy-duty cleaning of floors and floor
coverings, furniture, and draperies, to the so-called
stick-type vacuum cleaners which are used for light-duty
dirt pick-up such as kitchen floors, and some light carpet
cleaning.
In addition, even smaller and lighter weight vacuum
cleaners, some of which are battery operated, have also
entered the market in recent years. These vacuum cleaners
are often used in the kitchen, for example, for picking
up dirt and crumbs on kitchen counters and tables and on
kitchen ~loors, and are also used on stairs, shelves,
workshops, or any hard-to-get-to areas.
Many of these smaller units suffer from being clumsy
and difficult to handle as a result of poor weight dis-
tribution. An even more important problem with these
vacuum cleaners is that the dirt collection means is
difficult to empty, and often results in spillage when
the unit is opened in attempting to empty the dirt. Also,
these units often are poorly designed with many separate
parts, have inefficient air flow and dirt pick-up
characteristics, and have an objectionably small dirt
collection capacity which requires frequent emptyingO
Thus, even though a definite need exists for a small,
hand-held, light-duty vacuum cleaner of this type, the
many problems attendant with existing units tends to dis-
courage their use.
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SUMMARY OF TE~E IN~7EN~ ION
The pxesent invention overcomes the problems describedabove and satisfies the requisites for a small, hand-held
vacuum cleaner by providing two separable units, one being
a power unit, and the other a bowl unit into which dirt is
drawn and retained. The bowl unit includes a hollow bowl
and filter bag assembly removably positioned wholly within
the bowl which confines the dirt and debris therein. The
bowl is preferably a one-piece molded part and lncludes an
internal nozzle formed integral therewith and terminating
in an air inlet opening. - The end of the bowl remote from
the air inlet opening is constructed for ready attachment
to and detachment from the power unit. When the bowl is
detached from the power unit, the filter bag assembly
remains within the bowl and prevents dirt spillage. The
filter bag assembly is then easily removed from the bowl
and the dirt can then be dumped.
~ n addition to the above and in accordance with the
invention, the attached bowl and power units provide an
exceptionally convenient, lightweight, and well-balanced
vacuum cleaner. The power unit includes a housing formed
with a handle and enclosing an electric motor and fan.
The power unit can include rechargeable battery means
which, together with the motor and fan and all the other
weighted parts, are disposed with respect to the handle
for optimum weight distribution. A switch for controlling
on and off operation of the motor is conveniently actuated
by means on or adjacent the handle. The power unit also
includes a venturi means which, when the power unit is
attached to the bowl, extends into the bowl and positions
the filter bag assembly therein.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows, and
in part will be obvious from the description, or may be
learned by practice of the invention. The objects and
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained
by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
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The accompanying drawings which are incorporated
in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate
one embodiment of the invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRP.WINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective ~iew of a hand-held, electric
vacuum cleaner which embodies and is constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vacuum
cleaner shown in Fig. 1 taken along a line extending
substantially longitudinally thereof;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2 and showing
the parts separated for emptying dirt,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the
line 4-4 thereof;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the
line 5-5 thereof and with parts broken away for clarity;
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a portion of Fig. 2
taken along the line 6-6 thereof;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6 taken along the
line 7-7 thereof and showing one position of parts during
assembly and disassembly of the units;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig. 2 taken
along the line 8-8 thereof;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken along the
line 9-9 thereof;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing the
parts prior the assembly;
FIG. 11 is a perspective ~iew of a part of Fig. 10; and
FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig. 2 taken
along the line 12-12 thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which
is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, is seen
to include a hand-held, electric vacuum cleaner 21
comprising first and second separable units 23, 25 inter-
connected by a releasable latch means 27. As embodied
herein, the first unit 23 is a power unit which includes
a clam shell housing 24 formed with a handle 26 and
enclosing an electric motor 29 and a fan 31 (see Fig. 2).
Battery means including a plurality of rechargeable batteries
33, 35 are positioned within the handle 26 and are electrically
connected to the motor 29. A pair of electrical terminals
28 and 30 (Fig. 12) are positioned within the housing 24 and
are connected to the batteries 33, 35. The terminals 28 and
30 are accessible from outside the housing 24 through openings
38 and 40 for connection to a plug (not shown) for recharging
the batteries 33, 35. Switch means for turning the motor
29 on and off includes a switch 37 within the housing 24 and
a slidable switch operator 39 located outside the housing 24
on or adjacent the handle 26.
The fan 31 is of the centrifugal type which includes
blades 32, and is fixed to a motor shaft 34. When the
motor 29 is energized, the fan 31 rotates and causes air
to be drawn axially through an inlet opening 36 and discharges
it radially outwardly between blades 32.
Venturi means is provided and includes a venturi 41
fixed to the housing 24 forwardly of the fan 31 by screws
42 (Fig. 5). The venturi 41 includes a passageway 43 which
converges toward and is communicated with the inlet opening
36 of fan 31. The housing 24 includes diffuser means formed
by equidistant radially spaced louvers 44 which define air
discharge openings 45 adjacent the outer periphery of the
fan 31 (see Fig. 8). Thus, when the motor 29 is turned on,
the rotating fan 31 causes air to be drawn through the
venturi passageway 43 into the fan inlet opening 36.
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The air then moves outwardly between the fan blades 32 and
is discharged through openings 45.
In accordance with the invention, the second unit 25
of the vacuum cleaner 21 is detachably connected to first
or power unit 23. As embodied herein, the second unit 25
is a bowl unit and includes a bowl 47 constructed as a
hollow, one-piece, molded member having an open end connected
to the first or power unit 23. The bowl 47 is constructed
of a suitable tough, impact resistant material such as
polypropylene.
In accordance with the invention, and as described
above, the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are connected
by a releasable latch means 27.` As embodied herein, the
latch means includes one or more openings 49 formed in
the bottom of bowl 47 to receive corresponding pro~ec~ions
53 formed on the bottom of venturi 41 (see Fig. 6). The
releasable latch means 27 also includes a flexible latch
member 57 (Fig. 11) carried by the venturi 41 and engage-
able in an opening 63 in bowl 47. The member 57 is formed
with a pair of arms 56, 58 connected by a flexible web 59
so that arms 56, 58 can move toward and away from one
another. Arm 58 is bifurcated and is fixed to the venturi
41 b~ snapping into place in an opening 60 (see Figs. 9
and 10). Arm 56 includes a button 61 shaped with a camming
surface 62 and a locking shoulder 64. Latch member 57 can
be constructed of, for example, acetal.
To assemble the power and bowl units 23, 25, they are
positioned as shown in Fig. 7 with the bowl 47 and venturi
41 tilted slightly and the venturi 41 extending partly
into the bcwl 47 with projections 53 aligned with openings
49. The projections 53 are then inserted in openings 49
and the units 23, 25 are rocked in the direction of the
arrow toward the aligned and assembled position shown in
Fig. 2. During this movement, the camming surface 62 on
latch button 61 engages the edge of bowl 47. The flexible
web 59 allows the arm 56 of latch member 57 to mo~e toward
arm 56 until finally, the locking shoulder 64 snaps into
position in the opening 63 in bowl 47.
Conversely, when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are
to be separated, such as when the dirt is to be emp-tied
from the bowl 47, as will be described, the latch button
61 is depressed far enough to release the shoulder 64
from the bowl opening 63. The units 23, 25 are then
tilted toward the position shown in Fig. 7 (opposite
the direction illustrated by the arrow) and are separated.
Full separation of units 23, 25 is illustrated in Fig. 3.
As embodied herein, the bowl 47 is a one-piece
member which can be molded of a tough, impact resistant
material such as polypropylene. A nozzle 65 extends
inwardly from an air inlet opening 67. The nozzle 6
is formed by a continuous skirt 60 which is molded
integrally with the bowl 47 and is wholly within and
spaced from the bowl itself except where it is joined
to the bowl 47 adjacent the opening 67. The nozzle 65
is straight and substantially aligned with venturi
passage 43, and has a generally constant cross sectional
area throughout its length for maxiumum air flow and
efficiency in picking up dirt.
By molding the nozzle 65 as one piece with the bowl
~7, the need for an extra part, i.e. a separate nozzle,
is eliminated. Further, by constructing the nozzle skirt
68 wholly internally of the bowl 47 and spaced therefrom
except where joined ad~acent the opening 67, the size and
shape of the nozzle has no effect on the external contour
of the bowl 47. This allows for maxiumum design latitude
in the bowl 47 and results in the aesthetically pleasing
appearance shown in Fig. 1.
A resilient flapper 71 is securely fastened in place
o~er the internal end of the nozzle skirt 68. The flapper
71 is normally positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 2
so that it closes the nozzle 65 and inlet opening 67.
However, when the motor 29 is turned on, air drawn by the
fan 31 through the venturi 41 exerts suction on the flapper
71 and causes it to lift away from the nozzle 65 as shown
by dot-dash lines in Fig. 2. This causes air flow through
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nozzle 65 and dirt to be drawn through inlet opening 67.
When the motor 29 is again turned of~, the flapper 71
returns ~o the full line closed position and dirt trapped
within the bowl 47 cannot escape through the inlet opening
67.
In accordance with the inven~ion, the bowl unit 25
includes a filter bag assemhly 7~ positioned wholly within
the bowl 47`and which is removable therefrom only after
separation of the bowl 47 from the power unit 23. As
embodied herein, the filter bag assembly 73 includes a
ring 75 and an integral framework formed by a plurality
of ribs 79. As air permeable filter bag 77 is fitted over
ribs 79 and is fixed to ring 7S. The framework ribs 79
hold the bag 77 extended as shown in Fig. 2 and insure that
a maxiumum area of the filter bag 77 is exposed to air
flow through the vacuum cleaner.
The ring 75 can be formed of a suitable plastic material,
such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or PVC. The bag 77
can be formed of a porous non-woven polyester material having
pores which are sufficiently small to resist passage of dirt.
The bag 77 and ring 75 are preferably permanently attached
such as, for example, by stitching, hot welding, or by using
a suitable adhesive material.
In accordance with the invention, means is provided to
limit inward movement of the filter bag assembly relative
to the bowl 47. As here embodied, the outer periphery of
the ring 75 is shaped generally complementary to the internal
surface of the bowl 47. Desirably, the upper surface of
the bowl 47 and ring 75 are tapered so that when the filter
bag assembly 73 is inserted into the bowl 47, the ring 75
wedges into engagement with the wall of the bowl 47. In
addition, the ring 25 has a feathered edge 82 which can
cold flow into sealing engagement with the bowl 47. When
so positioned, the filter bag assembly 73 and bowl 47 define
a dirt-collecting chamber 80. If desired, the bowl 47 can
be formed with ribs 81, which define shoulders 83 to prevent
the ring 75 from moving too far into the bowl 47. Desirably,
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the ring 75 wedges into engagement with the bowl 47 before
engaging the shoulders 83. This insures that the ring 75
sealingly engages the bowl 47 and prevents dirt from passing
the ring.
In accordance with the invention, the bowl 47 and filter
ring assembly 73 are constructed so that the assembly 73
remains within the bowl 47 when the units 23, 25 are detached
and separated. As here embodied, the wedging engagement
between ring 75 and bowl 47 prevents the assembly 73 from
inadvertently falling out of bowl 47 or from backing out
when the power unit is separated from bowl unit 23.
Furthermore, when the power unit 23 and bowl unit 25 are
assembled together, as shown in Fig. 2, the venturi 41 engages
the ring 75 and presses it into snug wedging engagement with
the bowl 47. As shownl the venturi has a radial shoulder 85
which engages a radial shoulder 87 on the ring 75. However,
after the power unit 23 is separated from the bowl unit 25,
the filter bag assembly 73 can be manually withdrawn from
the bowl 47 simply by reaching into the bowl and grasping
the ring 75. Since the grasped portion of the ring 75 is
downstream of the dirt within bowl 47, the user's hands are
not dirtied in this action.
After removal of the dust bag assemhly 73 from the bowl
4?, the dirt is emptied simply by turning the bowl 47 upside
down. Thereafter, the dust bag assembly 73 can be shaken or
washed, and reinserted in the bowl 47. The power unit 23
and bowl unit 25 are then reassembled as described and the
vacuum cleaner is again ready for use. By providing that
the filter bag assembly 73 remains in position in the bowl
47 when the power and bowl units 23, 25 are detached and
separated, all of the dirt remains securely trapped in the
dirt collecting chamber 80 in bowl 47 and cannot spill out
until the filter bag assembiy 73 is thereafter re~oved.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art tha~
various additions, substitutions, modifications, and
omissions can be made to the present invention without
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departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers such pr~vided
that they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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